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Clinton Moyo, Business Reporter
THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has reserved $35 million which will be extended to the Grain Marketing Board to refurbish its silos as part of its efforts to capacitate a key stakeholder in the business.
In a telephone interview, GMAZ public relations manager Mr Garikayi Chiunza said the association is waiting for an audit report indicating how the $8 million extended to GMB last year was used before releasing fresh funding.
“We are holding on to our $35 million which we intend to extend towards refurbishing of GMB silos. Last year we gave them $8 million and if things look right in the audit report we will release the money to them,” said Mr Chiunza.
Mr Chiunza added that the GMAZ is seeking buying powers from Government to purchase 50 000 tonnes of soya beans from farmers nationwide.
He said the organisation was waiting for a response from the Government.
“We have written to Government seeking permission to purchase 50 000 tonnes of soya beans from farmers nationwide, we are still waiting for the response from them,” said Mr Chiunza.
Mr Chiunza said GMB was the only organisation which has the mandate to buy most crops from farmers
“Maybe you must know that GMB is the only enterprise that has the authority to buy most of the crops from farmers like maize, sunflowers and soya beans and that is one of the reasons why we also want to be a part of those buying” he said.
This comes at a time when the Government has set plans to increase soya beans production under the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme next season.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said those in the rural areas are expected to receive free soya bean inputs as well as cotton next season to boost production.-@clintonmoyo2
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